Straight answer, official source, and how long it takes.
Yes — you need an ETA before travel. For US tourists the 30-day tourist ETA is free.
Book a travel clinic appointment 6–8 weeks before you fly.
Required only if you're travelling from — or transiting through — a country with active transmission.
Certificate required if arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Not required for entry — advised by NHS / CDC for most travellers.
Recommended — food & water borne.
Recommended, especially for longer stays or rural travel.
Consider for rural stays, especially in monsoon season.
Consider for rural travel, cyclists, and long trips.
Which countries require the certificate, timing, cost, and the 10-day validity rule.
Not medical advice. Always confirm with your GP, travel nurse, or a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre — requirements change and can vary based on where you're arriving from.
Sri Lanka requires all foreign nationals to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. Under a notice effective 25 May 2026, US passport holders get a free 30-day tourist ETA, with double entry allowed within 30 days of first arrival. An ETA is not a guarantee of entry, and we don't estimate approval times.
For United States passport holders, tourism or short business trips.
| Passport | Regular US passport |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Tourism |
| Visa required | Yes — ETA/ESTA |
| Maximum stay | Up to 30 days on a free tourist ETA (double entry within 30 days of first arrival) |
| Passport validity | Official sources differ: the US State Department requires 6 months beyond expected departure and one blank page; Sri Lanka's ETA applying guidance says at least 6 months from arrival. Confirm with Sri Lanka Immigration; planning for 6 months after departure meets the stricter validity wording. |
| Return/onward ticket | State lists an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds; the official ETA Terms specifically require air arrivals to carry a round-trip ticket and funds. Confirm the ticket required for your route. |
| Arrival form | None mentioned - verify on the official source |
| Last checked | 28 June 2026 |
Sri Lanka has an active government advisory. Compare it against other countries currently flagged.
What an Electronic Travel Authorisation actually is, why every country wants one, and how to spot the scam sites.
Full border-enforcement rules for the Yellow Fever certificate, including transit-country traps that catch Sri Lanka travellers out.
Not border-enforced, but genuinely recommended for rural or long stays. Here's when it's worth it.
No visa is required for US citizens visiting Japan for tourism for stays under 90 days.
Read the dossierYes, U.S. citizens need a visa for Vietnam — either an eVisa (evisa.gov.vn) or a visa from a Vietnamese embassy, arranged before travel. The only exception is stays of 30 days or less on Phu Quoc island.
Read the dossierUS citizens need a visa for India, with an eVisa option available for tourist travel.
Read the dossierHuman-checked
Every dossier is written from official government sources, then re-checked on 28 Jun 2026.
Auto-monitored
An hourly job re-scans official sources for changes. Anything fishy triggers a manual review.
Not legal advice
Always cross-check with the linked official source before you book. Read our methodology and disclaimer.